John a



(ModelL) J. A. GONLEY.

FORMING BUTTONS PROM- VEGETABLE IVORY NUTS.

No. 267,974. Patented Nov. 21 '188Z.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.-

H. GOLDTHWAIT,

OF SAME PLACE.

FORMING BUTTONS FROM VEGETABLE-IVORY NUTS SPEGIFICATION'forming part ofLetters Patent No. 267,974, dated November 21, 1882.

Application filed May 22,1882. (ModeL) To all whom it may concern Be itknown that I, JOHN A. GoNLEY, a.

Improvements in Forming Buttons from Vegetable-Ivory Nuts, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved method of forming buttons fromvegetable-ivory nuts, the object being to provide a method of workingsaid material whereby a button may be produced much larger in size, withperfect front and back and entire surface, than has hitherto beenobtainable. i

In the drawings forming part of this'specification, Figure 1 representsa vegetable-ivory nut, full size, from which has been sawed a block fromwhich ,to cut a button. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the block sawed fromthe nut, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 illustrates a button cut from the block, Fig. 2.Fig. 4. illustrates an ivorynut after the first operation thereon toprepare it to be finished by my improved method. Fig. 5 illustrates avertical section of the nut, Fig. 4, and an edge view of the button cuttherefrom according to my invention; and Fig. 6 is a transverse sectionof the button shown in Fig. 5.

In the drawings, ais a partially-sawed ivorynut. 11 is a button-blocksawed from nut a.

' c is a button cut from block b. cl is an ivorynut having its oppositefaces removed.

e is a section of nut d. f is a button cutfrom nut d. a is a section ofbuttonf.

Hitherto in manufacturing buttons from vegetable-ivory nuts the nuts aresawed to produce blocks similar to b from the surface portions of saidnut, and from said blocks the buttons are turned or cut.

It is a well-known fact that, as a rule, all ivory-nuts, and especiallythose of a large size,

as a, have an internal cavity, as shown in Fig. 1, from which extendnumerous cracks toward the surface of the nut, said cavity, in smallnuts, being proportionate to the size of the latter, and in only veryrare instances is a nut found which is solid and perfect at the core.Owing to the presence of said central cavity in these nuts, as shown inFig. 1, it is impossible to obtain blocks 12 from the surface thereof ofsufficient thickness outside of the radius of the cracks extending fromsaid cavity, or beyond the cavity itself, from which buttons, except ofvery slight thickness-and moderate dimensions, can be cut to possessperfect unbroken surfaces and surfaces capable of permitting'eyes to beperforated therethrough. Thus in Fig. 3 is illustrated a button, c, ofconsiderablethickness, which, being cut from the blockband the latterfrom thenut feet and entirely lacking in a continuity of rear surfaceessential to a perfect button,and, lacking which, affords in itself nomeans for the requisite formation-of the usual threadeye, made generallyby drilling transversely, just under the surface thereof, in thedirection indicated by'the dotted lines waiof Fig. 4.

It will be seen that by the above-described old method of cutting andworking ivory-nuts for the manufactureot' buttons having a thicknessgreater than that of the shell of the nut surrounding'said centralcavity therein it is impossible to produce any of Said articles in aperfect or useful condition, and independent of a supplementary backtoaftord the required relief to the face of. the button as well assupplythe eyes; but by my improved process of cutting and working said nutsthe abovedescribed difficulties are entirely overcome and a large andperfect button is produced adapted to the thickest fabric, having asmooth and continuous surface provided with strong eyes integral withsaid button, and of comparativelylight weight, owing to the inclosedcavity, and at consequently a great saving of material and cost ofmanufacture. In brief, my improved method of forming buttons fromivory-nuts consists in so cutting the button therefrom as to cause thebutton to inclose centrally within it, or nearly so, the said cavity ofthe nut, whereby both the front and rear faces of the button are left ina sound and unbroken condition, and the eyes drilled through with eyesdrilled through said surface upon said perfect outer surface, as shownat f and one face of the button, substantially as shown 10 n, Figs. 5and 6. anddescrihed.

Having described my invention What I T 5 claimis I JOHN A. OONLEY.

An improved button formed of vegetable Witnesses: ivory, andconsistingof a continuousouter sur- H. A. OHAPIN,

face inclosing the nut -cavity, and provided R. F. HYDE.

